Francis hated feeling as conflicted as he did. On one hand, he only wanted to comfort her, take all the bad away. And he did sense that there was more to this than the recent mission. But on the other hand, he couldn't shake the feeling of how important it was that she understand just how important it was that she learn to stop and listen, and find her place in her team. Him as her lover and him with his twenty-plus years in the organization were at war. What was he supposed to say?

"I don't want us to fight over this," he said lowly, leaning against the doorpost, looking at her, seeing how she was close to tears.